The Innocent (miniseries)


The Innocent is a two-part British television crime drama miniseries, written by Jan McVerry and Stephen Mallatratt, that first broadcast on ITV on 7 January 2001. Directed by Sarah Harding, The Innocent tells the story of David Pastorov, a barrister accused of rape by one of his fellow colleagues, Alison. Although he initially denies the claims, when it later transpires that he slept with the alleged victim, his wife, Beth, heavily pregnant with the couple's third child, struggles to believe his version of events.
The two episodes of The Innocent attracted 9.87 and 9.49 million viewers respectively. Despite going head-to-head with Rebel Heart, the BBC's controversial Irish War of Independence drama, which had attracted widespread criticism before its broadcast, The Innocent drew nearly six million more viewers. Despite this, the series has never been released on DVD.

Reception

The Daily Mail gave the series a positive review, writing; "The war between the sexes has reached a new height of intensity over the past two nights, with Caroline Quentin and Clare Holman providing doughty new champions for the women's cause. In The Innocent, Jan McVerry's talking-point drama, men have come off rather less well, and I would strongly advise male lead Paul Rhys to wear a heavy disguise if he wishes to avoid being molested by angry women should he venture down to the shops today.".
Gareth McLean of The Guardian was slightly more critical, writing; "On paper - or in the Radio Times, at least - The Innocent hardly seemed like brave new drama. Focusing as it did on a schism between best friends, the subjectiveness of truth, and the compromises made and little lies told to live one's life, it appeared to be another off-the-peg contemporary drama. And with the misogyny of the legal system, the choices women have to make, and the loveliness of everyone's house thrown in, you could have been forgiven for not even turning on."

Cast